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There are a number of things very American, and some other things are very European. Many of the streets which I didn't think they are real streets, but they are.

I have a local friend showing me around and explaining things. It could have been a big challenge if she didn't come to the airport to help me getting on the bus.

I just realized one Polish phrase/question I cannot use when I see something I want to buy. Ile to kosztuye? (how much is it?) People would reply with an amount in Polish. LOL. It's best just to say "przepraszam, czy mowie pan/pani po angielsku?"

Great foods, great beers are relatively inexpensive here. To really enjoy the city, one must walk, walk, and walk. I walked about 10 km (6 miles) yesterday.

Just 6zl for a Tyskie beer in restaurants. When you go to a restaurant here, the prices you see in the menu are tax inclusive. Food is 7% tax, beer is 22%. But you don't need to figure the tax out. Here they also have wireless portable credit card scanner and they can swipe your c/c right at your table. Isn't that cool?

My performance time is 10 am tomorrow (Wednesday). That is 4 am US EDT. I will be first on stage. Time to go to the reception dinner.

Well, LA, by now, the performance has taken place.... we are eagerly awaiting your commentary! I hope you are having a great time over there, and that your performance went well. You have worked so hard for this.

I can't tell you how very proud we are of you. Your playing is beyond exceptional; we all know that. But the greatest thing is that you have that much needed confidence to enter into so many competition...even in Warsaw. It is a dream come true for many, but I can think of only one person who truly deserves it.

I hope you can meet Mati.

We are wishing you not only success at the competition but our hearfelt pride and support. Knock 'em dead!

Kathleen

_________________________
After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed, and mourning over tragedies that were not my own." Oscar Wilde, 1891

Last night, my other Polish friend took me to the Lazienki (it's the Polish L with a dash, not the regular L) park to see the Chopin statue. Most people here can really walk. They walk 10-15 km/day like there is nothing to it, and they walk fast. My normal walking pace is 4 miles/hour, and I found myself pushing the pace to keep up with people here.

Now I need to find time to go to the Holy cross catholic church where Chopin heart is preserved. Just about 1 km from the hotel.

ChopinAddict
6000 Post Club Member
Registered: 08/29/09
Posts: 6360
Loc: Land of the never-ending music

Originally Posted By: loveschopintoomuch

Hi ChopinAddict: I like your avatar name better than mine!!

I just wrote a reply to someone who thought that the mazurkas were suppose to be happy. Not so, as we know.

I've come across several people lately who have stated that they tear up when listening (or playing) Chopin. Some of us have tried to determine just what it is about his music that affects so many of us so deeply. What is so strange with me is that when I am depressed (bipolar), I find him impossible to listen to. It's just too painful.

The image of your playing on the concert stage, sobbing and wiping away tears is a funny one, I admit. Let us know when we can buy tickets.

Me too!!! I also go through periods of bipolar depression and I once called a phone helpline and they told me to play Mahler instead of Chopin when I am unwell, but I am just addicted to Chopin, even if he makes me cry, what can I do? Love has its pain...

#1266256 - 09/11/0903:22 AMRe: Just for those totally devoted to Chopin
[Re: ChopinAddict]

Elene
1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/26/07
Posts: 1425
Loc: Land of Enchantment

It seems to me that Mahler would be a singularly bad choice for helping a depressed mood, but then, I am way, way not into Mahler. And did he write any solo piano works, anyway?

Still, it's interesting that the helpline person was knowledgeable enough about music to make such a suggestion.

I have been struck by the high percentage of DtC-ers with emotional health issues. I don't have trouble with depression anymore, myself (fortunately), but I do have bouts of severe anxiety sometimes (and not just in connection with e-citals!).

For me, the middle section of the Fantaisie-Impromptu reduces both physical and emotional pain.

#1266267 - 09/11/0904:15 AMRe: Just for those totally devoted to Chopin
[Re: Elene]

ChopinAddict
6000 Post Club Member
Registered: 08/29/09
Posts: 6360
Loc: Land of the never-ending music

I don't think that Mahler is that good for depression either, although he is not bad either. The only one who really cheers me up when I am depressed is Amadeus... There is nothing like Mozart to cure depression. He is unique...

LA: I hope you are having the very best time. Wonderful to meet up with Mati (Mati...long time, no hear from). I can't even imagine how I would feel in the church at contains Chopin's heart. I am afraid I would be a basketcase. For some people with bipolar, it is very difficult to cry because our emotions have been regulated by medication. But I would absolutely fall apart in tears in that church.

Please do let us know how the competition went.

Not only do Polish people walk fast, they also work hard. Years ago, a family who just arrived from Poland, moved in next door to us. Both parents worked 2 full-jobs for ten years. Then they bought a 6 flat building...for CASH! They told me they loved their homeland, but they were so proud to be Americans.

I am afraid that I have gotten to the point where I don't want to listen to any other music other than Chopin's. I know this isn't healthy or even sane. But so very few other composers come close to affecting me the way Chopin does, and I play only one or two of their compositions on IPod.

Yes, Elene, I have also noticed that there seems to be many of us, here on the DtC thread, that have had or are still having some emotional or mental issues.

I read two very interesting books by Kay Redfied called "Touched with Fire" and "An Unquiet Mind." After reading both, I came away feeling not only better, but I knew I had that special "something" in me, certainly not genius (ha), but a quality that just might border on it. So very, very many of the famous artists, composers, writers, etc., from the past and even in the present sufferred from mental problems. But, boy, what insight they had into the human psyche. I have to laugh, but I think of it akin to their being from another planet and after they landed here on earth, they could truly only communicate with those who shared their "language."

Kathleen

Edited by loveschopintoomuch (09/11/0909:18 AM)

_________________________
After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed, and mourning over tragedies that were not my own." Oscar Wilde, 1891

I am afraid that I have gotten to the point where I don't want to listen to any other music other than Chopin's. I know this isn't healthy or even sane. But so very few other composers come close to affecting me the way Chopin does, and I play only one or two of their compositions on IPod.

On a related note, during my lesson earlier today, my teacher said that once I had finished with my current piece (Chopin), he wanted to do something non Chopin with me. I know this is probably for the best, but at the moment, if I had to play something from another composer, I don't think I would have much enthusiasm for learning the piece. I didn't want to say 'I only want to learn Chopin', but I hate the idea of learning something I may not even like. Not that I'm saying all other composers were or are terrible, but thats just the way it is for me at the moment.

Good luck LA, with all your future performances there. Blow them away, knock 'em dead, and all other related idioms.

_________________________
"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." - Frédéric Chopin

"Hats off gentlemen, a genius!" - Schumann on Chopin

"Chopin is the greatest of them all, for through the piano alone he discovered everything" - Debussy on Chopin

Elene, Kathleen, some more information in the separate thread - but to mention here quickly, the weather is beautiful Sunny from the very morning to the end of the day and I hope it will remain that way up until Sunday. It's warm, but not hot - quite comfortable in fact. LisztAddict performed wonderfully both in the first round and the second one - I love his sound. I also loved his Chaconne from d-minor partita for solo violin in Busoni transcription he played today. The competition is very tough, I hope he will get to the finals though and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I wish you all were here to listen to LA and others! What a breathtaking experience!

I'm sorry to hear that Even though, we will meet tomorrow anyway. Don't worry, LisztAddict, you did a GREAT job on stage! I really enjoyed your performace, just like many others did, and that's what matters.

Elene
1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/26/07
Posts: 1425
Loc: Land of Enchantment

Witam, bienvenue, welcome, Dr. Kallberg (she said indistinctly, while attempting to remove foot from mouth). It is truly delightful to hear from you.

I do, honestly, have a small bone to pick with you, but I’ll explain that at another time. Thank you for your gracious reception of our comments. We attempt to keep the level of politesse rather high around here, but I see that I allowed myself to fall beneath that standard for a bit!

We’d be very happy to have you drop by whenever you feel like it, and I’m glad to hear that you’ve enjoyed our discussions, “eggheadedness” and all.

#1266845 - 09/12/0902:57 AMRe: Just for those totally devoted to Chopin
[Re: Elene]

Elene
1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/26/07
Posts: 1425
Loc: Land of Enchantment

LisztAddict,

I'm sorry to hear you didn't get any further in the competition, but I'm sure your performance was extremely strong. I can't help but think of the guy in the last Cliburn competition (don't remember his name) who already had a successful concert career and got sterling reviews, but didn't get past the first round. They have to cut somebody.

I've been impressed with the thorough musicality of your recordings, and I'm at least as much impressed with the courage and fortitude you've shown in entering these competitions.

Steven,

I want you to know that I deeply and sincerely appreciate you as a fellow egghead.

Steven: No worries on the comments about my prose. It can be a tricky thing writing scholarship these days, especially when one hopes to communicate both with other specialists and with those who simply love the music one is writing about. Sometimes that results in some dense brush thrown into the paths of the non-scholarly reader, and I apologize for that. Maybe I have to think of a way to package some kind of machete with my next book.

Elene: Pick those bones away, small or large!

And Steven: I wear the egghead label all-too literally these days, as my hair seems to migrate south.